I was wondering if anyone could explain why the laser increases terminal and vellus hair growth surrounding the ares being treated, and why it happens for some people and not others? I’ll briefly explain my situation. I’m 21, history of anorexia, low body Fat and body weight, ‘normal’ hormones according to my doctors. Had long thin hairs on my neck, probably related to a hormonal or thyroidal disturbance occuring with respect to my eating disorder. Started tweezing and they got thicker and darker. Decided to laser them off and they started growing back even thicker, darker, and more. I also got a couple other areas lasered with the same results. The amount of vellus hair surrounding the areas have increased ten fold and any vellus hairs that were present before are still unpigmented, but much longer. I am 7 weeks into electrolysis treatments and the hairs are growing back much finer.
My questions:
is laser induced terminal and vellus hair growth permanent?
How long will these hairs continue to grow? My last treatment on neck was in february and I am still seeing new hairs.
Could laser induced hair show up bc of a slight hormonal imbalance? My estrogen levels are low most likely due to amount of exercise and low body fat/weight
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What is causing your hair probably has to do with the eating disorder as it’s a common side effect. So what you should understand is that any hair removal method, including electrolysis, can only remove the hair that’s currently present. It can’t prevent NEW hair from growing. So if your eating disorder and any other issues causing your body to produce new growth continuously are not treated/stopped, you’ll need consistent touchups to remove this new hair as it’s being produced by your body.
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There are some studies on laser induced growth. There are some links on this forum. Run a search expanding for the last 2-3 years to find them. It’s a phenomenon that is only recently being studied, so there is not a lot of information available. The bottom line is that this happens. And that laser should ONLY be used on areas with dense coarse hair like bikini, underarms, and legs. It should not be used on any areas with finer growth at all.
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Laser induces growth on fine hair regardless of the cause of the hair growth. Those are two separate things. See my first point.
Thanks for Your response! I should probably specify what ‘history’ of anorexia means. 6 years ago I was officially diagnosed. Since then I have put a good amount of the weight back on but have fluctuated between 102-109 for the past 4 years, I’m 5’7. I have recently been trying very hard to gain back the rest of the weight and have quit working out until I can. I had the laser done on my neck and chest, both areas with lots of little vellus hairs. From what I’ve gathered those areas should have never been treated, but they were and I have had a significant increase in the amount, length, and pigmentation of the hair in those areas. It has caused me a great amount of emotional pain. I’m mostly curious as to whether or not this increase is permanent or if it will level out over time since I’ve quit the laser treatment, and is electrolysis a good option for removing laser induced hair?
More laser can possibly correct the laser induced hair growth if the hair is thick, dense and coarse, otherwise, you only have electrolysis to correct the problem. ELectrolysis is a great option for removing any structure of hair on any color of skin for any color of hair. Get as many consultations from electrologists as possible. We are all different skill wise and the equipment we use can vary greatly. For a lot of hair, the more modern modes of thermolysis are ideal to use and when used properly, are awesome for removing a lot of hair speedily.
Dee
I doubt that the new hair is coarse enough for laser, even if it’s darker. Unless the hair is coarse like hair on underarms and bikini, you need electrolysis to remove it.
I wish they had told me that before I got anything lasered…thanks!
Some clinics prefer to take money instead of being honest. Some are just uninformed.
I had the same thing happen, it happens allot! No one on here has any clue or any proper education as to why it happens or not. You konw your body best the laser induced hair growth stay far far away from it and get some electrolysis to remove the hair if you can handle the pain.
Electrolysis doesn’t have to be painful. Find someone who has a modern machine and knows what they’re doing.